The Military Farms are the oldest Organisation in the country in the field of cattle husbandary and modern dairying and have pioneered the development of cross bared cows. Extablished first at Allahabad in 1889 they now complete 100 years i\of their existence. The origin of this organisation can be tracked back to the closing decades of the 18th century and early 19th, when the first Regimental dairy was foundd somewhere in the Deccan by a British regiment whose personnel brought good cattle fromEngland. This led to the growth of many regimental dairies. At the close of the 19th Century it was observed that such regimental dairires hampered the unit mobility, so they were converted into Government Military Farms, organised in various circles. Permanent staff was introduced to run these farms on scientific lines. The herds of the erstwhile regimental dairies inherited by the Military Farms. By the beginning of the 20th Century, Military Farms as an organisation were well established. In the preent context, the unity and the contribution of Military Farms to the Defence Services and the Nation in invaluable. Military Farms have played a vital role in supplying milk, vegetables and fodder to troops both at home and abroad during the first and second World Wars besides the wars inMesopotamia, Abyssinia and the three frontier wars. Since indiependence, they have given good account of their service during hostilities in 1948, 1962, 1965 and 1971 and met the milk and fodder needs of fighting forces in most of the operational areas. Apart from serving the needs of the country's fighting forces they have rendered yeoman's service and made significant contributions to the nation's cattle development.

Their chief contribution has ben the breeding of high ilk producing potential cross-bred cows and agro-management conditions, besides standardising cattle feeding and management techiniques. Further, with nearly 18,000 heads of cattle (10,500 Adults) producing over 265 lakh litres milk, Military Farms are one of the leaders of organised cattle husbandry in the country. In the past their cows have been winning numerous coverted prizes for their milk yeild at various Cattle/Livestock shows. The meticulously maintained data of their cattle and its generous availability to students has contributed to education and research in Animal Husbandry.

Their contribution to cattle development in the country has been given due recognition by the National Commisssion in Agriculture in 1976 which has since resulted ivarious catle related breeding and evaluation projects including the Frieswal Project in collaboration with the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). Text: Based on material supplied by the Military Farms.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India